Winding stem construction for watches



June 30, 1959 A. SCHWARTZ 2,892,303

WINDING STEM CONSTRUCTION FOR WATCHES Filed Feb. s, 1956 IN V EN TOR.ALBERT SCHWARTZ 22 BY mama ATTORNEY United States Pater *1 WINDING STEMCONSTRUCTION FOR WATCHES Albert Schwartz, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application February 8, 1956, Serial No. 564,231 Claims. (Cl. 58-68) Thepresent invention relates to improvements in watches, and moreparticularly, to an adaptor for the winding stems thereof, and namely anadaptor for converting a standard watch winding stem into a split winding stem.

The recent relatively widespread use of solid back watch-cases has leadto the adoption of the so-called split winding stem which is insertedafter the movement is in the case. The split winding stem differs fromthe standard winding stem in that the latter is provided with an outerthreaded end onto which the crownis threaded, while the split windingstem is not provided with a threaded end, but instead is provided withan axially disposed socket having outwardly extending lips. A bulboushead crown type is engaged with the split winding stem, with the crow'nshead being received Within the socket.

The use of differing forms of winding stems has greatly complicated theinventory and storage problems of watch repairmen. Thus, watch repairmenare now required to keep in stock a supply of standard winding stems,and

also a supply of split winding stems.

This invention has as an object the provision of an adaptor for enablinga watchmaker to convert a standard winding stern into a split windingstem.

This invention has as another object the provision of a two-piecewinding stem which may be used in conjunc tion with crowns havingbulbous heads.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in thedrawings a form which is presently pre ferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer tolike parts:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a standard winding stem.

Figure 2 is an elevational View of the adaptor of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the winding stem of the presentinvention including the adaptor of the present invention mounted upon astandard winding stem which has been cut in order to conform therewith.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the winding sternof the present invention operatively positioned within a watch-case.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 there is showntherein a standard winding stem designated generally by the numeral inthe form in which said winding stem is supplied to Watchmakers. Stem 10is provided with an elongated threaded end 21 designed for threadedengagement with a crown of the conventional type having female threads.Adjacent the threaded end 21 is a collar 14, sometimes referred to asthe winding stem shoulder. Adjacent collar 14 is detent slot 16comprising a thinner cylindrical portion than collar 14.

2,892,303 Patented June 30, 1959 "ice A second collar 18 which issometimes referred to as the hub is positioned intermediate detent slot16 and winding pinion shoulder 19, and a squared section 20. Squaredsection 20 is provided for the reception of the clutch and the windingarbor of the watchs movement, and is sometimes referred to as thewinding pinion square. A bearing or pilot bearing 22 is provided at theother end of squared section20.

The adaptor of the present invention designated generally by the numeral24 comprises a generally cylindrical member axially threadably bored atone end to .form female threads or threaded socket 26, the threadshaving a tap permittingthem to be matingly aligned with threaded end 21.

The end of adaptor 24 remote from threaded socket 26 is provided with asocket 28 formed by slotting the adaptor 24 along its longitudinal axis.The socket 28 has an enlarged arcuate portion 30 intermediate its lipportion 32 and its base portion34.

The socket 28 is formed so as to receive the bulbous head 36of thecrown-stemof watch crown 38. Bulbous head 36 is thrust between the lips32 of socket 28 with the head portion aligned so that its arcuate sides,which mate with the arcuate sides of arcuate portion 30, are receivedwithin the arcuate portion 30 of socket 28.

Adaptor 24 is mounted on stem 10 by first cutting off the excess portionof threaded end 21 of stem 10, as for example, along the dotted lineshown in Figure 1. This may be accomplished by the watch repairman athis bench, and the requisite amount of threaded end 21 which must be cutaway in any given instance will depend upon the model and type of watchto which the stem is being applied. After the excess portion of threadedend 21 has been cut off, the adaptor 24 is threadably joined to stem 10by threadably engaging the end 21 in the threaded socket 26 to producethe winding stem 10a of the present invention shown in Figure 3.

Figure 4 shows the winding stern 10a of the present inventionoperatively positioned in a watch of the present invention. Thus, thewatch stem 10a of the present invention is shown within a watch-casehaving a solid back 40 integrally joined with its rim 42. The windingstem we: projects through the tube or sleeve 44 whose outer end isengaged with a gasket 46 carried by crown 38, whereby the watch isrendered waterproof. As will be seen from Figure 4 the bulbous head 36of the crownstem of crown 38 is frictionally axially engaged Withinsocket 28 of adaptor 24, which is engaged with the remainder of the stem10a by threaded engagement between threaded end 21 and threaded socket26. The winding stem ma projects as an axial extension of the crown 38permitting its rotation upon rotation of the crown.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1. In a timepiece a watch-case formed with a solid back and an integralrim, a two-piece winding stem rotatably mounted on said watch-case, saidwinding stem including a cylindrical portion having an axially extendingslotted socket at its outer end and an axially extending threaded socketat its inner end, an elongated stem element screw-threadedly secured tosaid threaded socket and projecting within said watch-case, and a crowncomprising an integral bulbous headed crown-stem, said bulbous headedcrown-stem being frictionally axially engaged with said axiallyextending slotted socket.

2. In a timepiece a watch-case formed with a solid back and an integralrim, a two-piece winding stem rotatably mounted on said watch-case, saidwinding stem including a cylindrical portion having an axially extendingslotted socket at its outer end and an axially extending threaded socketat its inner end, a crown comprising an integral bulbous headedcrown-stem, said bulbous headed crownstem being frictionally axiallyengaged with said axially extending slotted socket, an elongated stemelement screw-threadedly secured to said threaded socket and projectingwithin said watch-case, said stern element including a pilot bearing atthe end thereof remote from said cylindrical portion, a winding pinionsquare adjacent said pilot bearing, and a detent slot intermediate saidcylindrical portion and said pilot bearing.

3. In a winding-up-device for watches, a winding stem including acylindrical portion having an axially extending slotted socket at oneend and an axially extending threaded socket at the other end, anelongated stem element having a threaded end threadably secured withsaid threaded socket, said elongated stem portion in cluding a pilothearing at its end remote from its threaded end, a winding pinion squareadjacent said pilot bearing, and a detent slot intermediate saidthreaded end and said Winding pinion square.

7 4. In a timepiece a watch-case formed with a solid back and anintegral rim, a two-piece winding stem rotatably mounted on saidwatchcase, said winding stem in cluding a cylindrical portion having anaxially extending slotted socket at its outer end and an axiallyextending threaded socket at its inner end, an elongated stem elementscrew-threadedly secured to said threaded socket and projecting withinsaid watch-case, a unitary crown comprising an integral bulbous headedcrown-stem, said bulbous headed crown-stem being frictionally axiallyengaged within said axially extending slotted socket, a sleeveprojecting from the rim of said watch and embracing said crown-stem anda portion of said winding stem, an annular groove in said crownjuxtaposed to the outer end of said sleeve, and a gasket within saidgroove adjacent the outer end of said sleeve.

5. In a timepiece a watch-case formed with a solid back and an integralrim, a two-piece winding stem rotatably mounted on said Watch-case, saidwinding stem including a cylindrical portion having an axially extendingslotted socket at its outer end and an axially extending threaded socketat its inner end, an elongated stem element screW-threadedly secured tosaid threaded socket and projecting within said watch-case, said stemelement including a pilot bearing at the end thereof remote from saidcylindrical portion, a winding pinion square adjacent said pilotbearing, a detent slot intermediate said cylindrical portion and saidpilot bearing, a unitary crown comprising an integral bulbous headedcrown-stem, said bulbous headed crown-stem being frictionally axiallyengaged within said axially extending slotted socket, a sleeveprojecting from the rim of said watch and embracing said crown-stem anda portion of said winding stem, an annular groove in said crownjuxtaposed to the outer end of said sleeve, and a gasket within saidgroove adjacent the outer end of said sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,579,340 Schmitz Dec. 18, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 180,459 Switzerland Ian.16, 1936 203,182 Switzerland June 1, 1939 211,519 Switzerland Dec. 2,1940 223,347 Switzerland Dec. 1, 1942 237,656 Switzerland Sept. 1, 1945

